The Farr Side: Hantz plays Survivor’ villain role to the hilt

Russell Hantz is known for possessing hidden immunity idols, but who knew he had a “get out of jail free” card, too?

David T. Farr

Russell Hantz is known for possessing hidden immunity idols, but who knew he had a “get out of jail free” card, too?

Over the weekend the “Survivor” star was arrested for simple battery when he allegedly pushed a woman to the ground outside a Louisiana nightclub.

Reports said Hantz was released just a couple of hours after his arrest and with that level of offense, no bail was required. He was given a misdemeanor charge and will need to appear in court June 24.

Imagine that. Russell Hantz a villain? It cracks me up because I could see him doing something like this.

CBS was smart to cast him in back-to-back seasons of “Survivor.” How ironic, though, that his current run on the program is as a villain on the show’s 20th season, appropriately called “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.”

Hantz is a dirt bag of tricks, but he makes for great TV. We knew it the moment he set foot in Samoa last season. The only problem is, no one (hero or villain) knew of Hantz’ desire to win and at what lengths he’d go to in order to make it to the end. Remember, Season 19 was airing as Season 20 was being filmed.

Viewers have the luxury of seeing Hantz’ actions play out while former Survivors fall into his web of deceit. I find myself screaming at the TV, “Hello, he’s a villain for a reason … duh!”

I haven’t decided yet if Hantz is a good player or not. There’s something cool about playing the game in an honorable way and making it to the end like Tom Westman (“Survivor: Palau”) but it’s also a game and nowhere does it say you can’t play it like Russell does, either.

I don’t like to see good players from “Survivor” fall to someone like Hantz. Thus has been the case with such players this go-round, like Boston Rob (villain) and J.T. (hero).

J.T.’s departure, however, was a direct result of his own stupidity. Before the merge, he opted to give up his immunity idol to Hantz, thinking it would help the Heroes Tribe when the two tribes became one.

It’s a good thing Rupert Boneham (hero) is still there. He’s not only one of my all-time favorite players, he one of America’s, too. I’d love to see him take out Hantz.

The villains have the upper hand, but only time will tell if they can maintain it. Sandra Diaz-Twine (villain) is showing signs of aligning with Rupert. One other person might ultimately be the one to beat: Parvati Shallow, who may be Hantz’ biggest nemesis. She should never be underestimated.

So many nicknames have been given to Hantz, including troll, slimeball, snake, and dirtbag. I’m partial to troll, but he really only wants to be known as the ultimate “Survivor” competitor.

With headlines like those from last weekend, you can expect the list of nicknames to grow.

David T. Farr is a Sturgis (Mich.) Journal correspondent. E-mail him at farrboy@hotmail.com.